Redbreast 15 Years Old Cask Strength has been released to celebrate 20 years since Redbreast 15 Years Old was first introduced. This release is a marriage of 15 specially selected casks — a deliberate tribute to its 15 years age statement. It is matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry seasoned casks. The 15 Years Old was first released as a one-off bottling but it was so well received that it was added permanently to the Redbreast core range.
Redbreast is currently the largest selling, and the most awarded, single pot still Irish whiskey in the world. It is produced by Irish Distillers at their Midleton Distillery in County Cork. While Midleton Distillery has been producing single post still whiskey for well over two centuries, the Redbreast brand was resurrected by Irish Distillers back in 1991.
The Redbreast brand has records dating back to 1912. The then owners were producing a bottled whiskey with a bird emblem as part of the associated John Jameson house of whiskeys. The Redbreast refers to the robin symbol introduced by the chairman of Redbreast’s initial owning company, Gilbeys. The last bottling by Gilbeys was in 1985 (many years after it stopped being produced). Shortly followed with the brand being sold to Irish Distillers.
When Redbreast 15 was first created it was intended to be a one-time release. Its overwhelming success led it to become a permanent part of our portfolio. This cask strength edition captures the spirit of that original moment — delivering a whiskey that is both deeply familiar and thrillingly new.
Billy Leighton | Master Blender Emeritus for Irish Distillers
Bottled at the natural strength of 56.3% ABV. Each bottle of this small-batch whiskey carries a batch stamp to mark its part in this one-off edition release. Redbreast 15 Year Old Cask Strength will be available exclusively through the Birdhouse, Redbreast’s dedicated online member community at midletondistillerycollection.com priced at €130.
Our Tasting Notes
Deep copper amber in colour this whiskey is highly fragrant. On the nose there is a rich creamy sweetness. We experienced aromas that reminded us of butterscotch candy, and cherry bakewell tart with frangipane or almond sponge cake. There is also raspberry jam and vanilla ice-cream. Sweet oak notes are prominent next to dried and sticky sweet sultanas. Underlying this sweet creaminess is a hint of musk and even lighter hint of jasmine florals. Finally there is a gentle cinnamon spice.
On the palate this whiskey begins with bold wood spice and zest, then migrates into rich fruits and burnt sugar, finally becoming drying and woody with lots of oak and dusty spices. With raisins, sultanas, ripe tropical fruits, and lime peel zest. Plus caramel with toasted almonds and mocha. On the long drying finish there is sticky marmalade, clove spice and crushed black peppercorns giving a spicy heat. All neatly wrapped with herbal notes of tobacco.
What’s The Verdict?
This is a wildly bold whiskey. The flavours are deep and passionate. The spices and fruits are rich initially. The finish is long and drying with just enough pot still spice. It would be exciting to try this next to the 15 Years Old as it does not feel like just a higher strength version of the original. We expected more tropical fruit that is common with older pot still whiskeys of similar age but instead got more spice and greater influence from the casks.
This is the 15 Years Old with more attitude. It does everything that a good limited edition celebratory whiskey should – pays tribute to its roots but offers something completely unique.
